Why is it so hard to understand the Bible?

Response

Everyone, to varying degrees, faces challenges when trying to comprehend the Bible. Even after almost 2,000 years of church history, there are certain Bible verses and passages that leave even the most brilliant Bible scholars speculating about the precise and accurate meaning. Why is it difficult to understand the Bible? Why does it require so much effort to fully and accurately grasp the Bible? Before exploring these questions, it must be emphasized that God did not make His Word ambiguous. The message of God’s Word is perfectly clear. The reason the Bible can sometimes be challenging to understand is that we are all fallen beings – sin clouds and distorts our understanding, leading us to distort the Bible to suit our own preferences.

There are several factors that can make the Bible challenging to understand. First, there is a difference in time and culture. Depending on the part of the Bible you are studying, there is a gap of between 3,400 and 1,900 years between when the Bible was written and today. The culture in which the Bible was written was very different from most modern cultures. The actions of nomadic shepherds in 1800 B.C. in the Middle East often do not make much sense to computer programmers in 21st-century America. It is crucially important that, when seeking to understand the Bible, we set aside our 21st-century “lenses” and try to appreciate the culture in which the Bible was written.

Second, the Bible contains various types of literature. It includes history, law, poetry, songs, wisdom literature, prophecy, personal letters, and apocalyptic literature. Historical literature must be interpreted differently from wisdom literature. Poetry cannot be understood in the same way as prophecy.In the same way as apocalyptic writings, a personal letter, while holding significance for us today, may not have the exact relevance to us as it did to the person(s) to whom it was addressed. Recognizing that the Bible encompasses various genres is crucial in preventing confusion and misunderstanding.

Thirdly, we are all sinners; we all make mistakes (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8). Despite our efforts to avoid imposing our preconceived biases onto the Bible, it is inevitable that we occasionally do so. Regrettably, at some point, everyone misinterprets a Scripture due to a preconceived understanding of what a particular Scripture can or cannot signify. When we delve into the Bible, we must implore God to eliminate the biases from our minds and assist us in interpreting His Word independently of our presuppositions. This is often a challenging step to take, as acknowledging presuppositions necessitates humility and a readiness to admit errors.

The three steps outlined above are by no means all that is necessary to properly comprehend the Bible. Numerous books have been penned on how to interpret the Bible. Biblical hermeneutics is the discipline of biblical interpretation. Nevertheless, the three steps mentioned above serve as an excellent foundation for understanding the Bible. We must acknowledge the cultural disparities between ourselves and the people in Bible times. The diverse genres of literature must be considered. We must endeavor to allow the Bible to articulate itself, refraining from allowing our presuppositions to dictate the interpretation.

Attempting to grasp the Bible can at times be a challenging endeavor, but with God’s assistance, it is achievable. Remember, if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God’s Spirit dwells within you, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

on (Romans 8:9). The same God who “breathed out” Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17), is the same God who indwells you and will open your mind to the truth and understanding of His Word if you rely on Him. This is not to say that God will always make it easy. God desires us to search His Word and to fully explore its treasures. Understanding the Bible is not always easy, but it is always eminently rewarding.